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Fez is one of the four royal cities of Morocco and highly recommended for an inspiring city break. It is the second largest city in the country, but totally unlike the largest city Marrakech. A big difference between the two cities is that Fez is more authentic. A city break to Fez is therefore a particularly cultural experience. You will no doubt experience this during a walk through the old Medina, one of the fun tips for in Fez. Curious about what else you can do during a city break to Fez? With these tips you will get everything out of your visit!
Where is Fez located and how to get there?
Fez is one of the oldest cities in Morocco and is located in the north of the country, close to the impressive Atlas Mountains. The city is widely visited by travelers as a city break destination, but is also often booked as a tour of the four royal cities of Morocco. Fez is one of the royal cities of Morocco; the other three cities are Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat.
There are several ways to travel to Fez from the Netherlands. The fastest way to get to Fez is to fly from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Fez-Saïs Airport. Fez airport is about 15 kilometers from the city center and you can easily reach it by cab or shuttle bus. There are three airlines that offer flights to Fez, these are RyanAir, Transavia and Royal Air Maroc (view Transavia's offer here). The flight from Amsterdam to Fez takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Fun tips to do in Fez
Now of course you are wondering what you should really do when you are in Fez? Herewith 9 tips!
1. Wander through the alleys of the Medina
An absolute must-visit in Fez is the Medina. There is so much to see and experience here. For example, there are beautiful stores where they sell everything from spices to souvenirs for home. Don't want to pay too much? Then you can definitely haggle here. A tip: the price asked can certainly be reduced by half. Do you love taking pictures? There are plenty of beautiful gates and doors to photograph in the Medina.
2. Visit a tannery in Fez
If there is one thing you must do in Fez it is visit a tannery. In fact, Fez is known for its many tanneries. Fez's most famous tannery is Chouara and this one can be found in the middle of the Medina. At Chouara, several families work together to process animal hides into leather. One disadvantage of visiting the tanneries is that it often smells very bad. If you visit one of the tanneries through a connecting store, you are often offered a sprig of mint against the smell. It is admirable how people can work here all day. By the way, it is also incredibly hard work in a tannery. From animal skin to leather is quite a process. At first, the hides are kept in ammonia. For this they use pigeon poop because it contains a lot of ammonia. This substance makes the skin soft. Then the hide is colored and processed with natural products until it can be sold as leather.
Keep in mind that when you want to visit one of the tanneries there are many locals who want to show you the way. We will always advise you not to respond to this and walk on. The tanneries are easy to find on your own and the locals can be pushy and charge money for guidance. Always remain respectful to the locals though!
3. Admire the city gate Bab Boujloud
A well-known highlight of Fez is the city gate Bab Boujloud, also known as the Blue Gate. Characteristically, the city gate is blue when you enter the Medina and green when you leave the Medina. The blue color of the gate represents Fez, and the green color represents Islam.
4. Visit Madrasa Al-Attarine and Madrasa Bou Inania
A madrasa is an ancient Koranic school, and so you can visit it during your city break to Fez. Madrasa Al-Attarine is one of the older and most famous Koranic schools. The courtyard of this madrasa has a high ceiling, beautiful mosaics and woodwork. Madrasa Bou Inania is not only a Koranic school, but also used to serve as a mosque. Both Quranic schools are definitely worth visiting.
5. Unwind in the city park Jnan Sbil
Within walking distance of city gate Bab Boujloud you will find Fez's oldest city park. A beautiful park just outside the busy Medina where you can unwind. Nice tip: bring a packed lunch to the park!
6. Watch the sunset at Merend Tombs
Like the city park Jnan Sbil, outside the Medina you will find the Merend Tombs. Even though most of the tombs are damaged you can still visit the ruins. It is a particularly beautiful place to visit just before sunset. After wandering around the ruins you can watch the sun set while enjoying a breathtaking view of Fez's Medina.
7. Spend the night in a traditional riad in Fez
The ultimate place to stay in Fez is, of course, a riad. This is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an atrium or courtyard. It is best to stay in a riad located in the Medina. An affordable riad is Riad Dar Mansoura. The breakfast there is very tasty and extensive. Also, the staff is very friendly and welcoming. They can also give you very valuable tips here for your time in Fez. And in addition, you can also book several day trips and activities here. We can definitely recommend the organized tour of Fez and the day trip to Chefchaouen!
8. Eating out at nice restaurants in Fez
For a fun night out for dinner, we can definitely recommend some restaurants in Fez's Medina. After all, there are plenty of them. A local specialty is the camel burger and the hotspot where you must try it is Cafe Clock. In fact, this restaurant is known for its delectable camel burger. For a tasty (camel) tagine you must be at Cafe Cinema. Another very nice tip is Le Tarbouche. A very small restaurant, but very atmospheric. And you can eat blissful food, also not unimportant. For all three restaurants it is wise to make reservations in time.
9. A day trip to Chefchaouen
We booked a day trip to the famous village of Chefchaouen at our riad in Fez. If you are planning a day trip to this special town, it is important that you leave on time from Fez, as it is about 3 hours away. If you have the time, it is definitely recommended to spend more time in Chefchaouen!
Chefchaouen is beautiful. Wander the beautiful blue streets and take in every nook and cranny. Because the village has become very popular in recent years, there is sometimes a charge for taking pictures. It is up to you whether you do or not.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
